BIBLIOFILES: Head to the library on International Literacy Day

BIBLIOFILES: Head to the library on International Literacy Day

As literacy is at the heart of library mandates, undoubtedly public libraries play a significant role in supporting global literacy efforts; with the first and foremost being the accessibility of literacies to all people.

At the 14th session of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) General Conference on Oct. 26, 1966, Sept. 8 was proclaimed International Literacy Day and has been celebrated around the world ever since in order to raise awareness of literacy as a matter of importance to human right and dignity (UNESCO, 2019).

Despite global progress being made, literacy challenges will always continue as the demands for skills required for work continue to evolve rapidly (United Nations, 2015). In 2015, the United Nations adopted Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for the economy, environment and social development. In the report, it was revealed that libraries support all the SDGs and will be an integral support to global literacy efforts (United Nations, 2015).

As literacy is at the heart of library mandates, undoubtedly public libraries play a significant role in supporting global literacy efforts; with the first and foremost being the accessibility of literacies to all people. Literacy comes in many forms including: digital literacy, physical literacy, and numeracy, and all of these types of literacies are important for individuals to have access to and to gain knowledge of in order to contribute in today’s society.

There are many challenges facing our society today with the ever-growing changes in technology. As our society evolves into the age of technology, libraries are evolving into becoming “Learning Centres” and “Technology Hubs” in order to support and enhance digital literacy. Libraries are vital spaces for people to access technology so that individuals can learn and become contributors to society.

In addition, public libraries promote early literacy and see the significant benefits of reading to newborns, infants and toddlers between the ages of zero to five years. Various research suggests that the first five years of a child’s life are the most important in a child’s learning development. In order to foster a lifelong love of literature and reading at very young age, libraries provide many baby and toddler programs and have various formats for encouraging reading (touch and feel board books, read-along stories, and puppets) at a young age.

Public libraries also host a variety of family literacy day activities and reading games, as well as, many author talks to encourage reading and provide access to literature; these types of services are essential for the global awareness of literacy as they provide free access to literacies of all types in our ever changing society.

Furthermore, libraries are trusted places in communities. People of all ages and nationalities are welcome to access their library’s’ physical facility and/or welcome to access their library’s amazing collection of online resources — all for free. According to UNESCO Institute for Lifelong Learning, by providing literacy resources to children, youth, and adults of all proficiency levels, libraries “mak{e} an enormous contribution to supporting a reading culture and the creation of a literate society” (UNESCO, 2019).

So this Sunday take a moment to reflect on literacy and what it means to be literate, and just how overwhelmingly important it is in order to contribute successfully in our society today.